Shoes

For some reason or another, the yachting life-look is back with a vengeance in men’s fashion. If you aren’t really inclined, though, to throw on a pink polo shirt over a navy polo and pop both collars (and we don’t blame you), these latest sailorized editions of Converse’s renowned Jack Purcell might help you keep...

We know you’ve seen the commercials for toning sneakers on TV. Seriously, what guy isn’t a fan of the Reebok ads? Perhaps you’ve considered buying a pair for your girlfriend. Perhaps you’ve considered buying yourself a pair. No matter what your inclination may be, leave it up to Gear Patrol to find out what they’re...

It’s time to throw pragmatism out the window, or at least put it on hold for the next paragraph or so. Clean and basic, with perfect amount of color flash for standing out in sea of Converse and Vans, these white lace-up leather trainers are a surprise find from a brand normally saddled in jet...

Combining two classic men’s shoe styles into one beautiful silhouette, these Deck Chukka’s are as stylish as they are well crafted. Created for fashion outfit 3Sixteen by shoe maker Quoddy, each pair is hand sewn in Maine with locked-stitched tips and kickers by one individual craftsman. Material wise, the shoes are made from Chromexcel leather...

Made entirely of real sheepskin shearling, the ankle high L.L. Bean Wicked Good Slippers are the indoor shoe for chilly winter days and long winter nights. The shearling conforms uniquely to your foot like memory foam and provides a super comfortable footbed. Additionally, the shearling will keep you warm no matter how cheap your roommate...

“There’s no such thing as bad weather. Only inappropriate clothing.” I don’t know who said that, but odds are, he was wearing waterproof shoes. As anyone who has spent much time outdoors knows, there are few things more uncomfortable, more demoralizing, or more downright withering as wet feet. Conversely, there’s a certain joy and smugness...

Wolverine’s new 1000 Mile Boot Collection is a sight to behold. Drawing on 125 years of history, the collection features Horween leathers, stacked leather outsoles, Vibram soles, Goodyear welt construction, and Made in the USA goodness. That’s a roster robust enough to turn even the most dedicated Sneaker Head. The cornerstone of Wolverine’s collection is...

Before the year officially comes to a close, it might be a good idea to take a second glance at the 2009 lineup of Vans Chukka Low styles. Above, we’ve gathered some of the more conservative colors of the batch and highly recommend them as a comfortable sneaker for walking about town without giving off...

Known for their durable, classic boots, the Dakota Mid Lace is a classic style anyone should consider owning. Taller than a chukka and secure around the ankle, whether you by them for fashion or day hikes with friends, these boots are built for walking just about anywhere. Great with jeans or chinos, their Americana appeal...

Not up for trudging those expensive leather shoes or boots you purchased through salt infused slush and rain this winter? There is life beyond galloshes and lucky for you it’s not pricey. Inspired by a Chelsea boot style (this author’s favorite type of boot), the Tretorn Strala boots are perfect for rain or snowwear for...

For the past decade, Keen shoes have made a name for themselves as worthy companions to both watery and terrestrial adventures. The company has leveraged its distinctive toe bumper design (originally to avoid stubbing toes on sailboat deck cleats) to make countless styles, everything from river running sandals to business casual lace-ups. So when the...

When it comes to running shoes, many runners latch onto a particular brand. While Dusty happens to be a Brooks man, I, on the other hand, live by ASICS. As a cost-conscious individual, I usually get my new pair of Gel Kayano’s at the end of the season on closeout. So, when the opportunity came...

Palladium boots, originally designed and manufactured for the French Foreign Legion, circa 1947 (nod to Sinatra), are like many vintage military products these days. That is to say, in fashion. The Palladium Baggy boots are a not-too-pricey boot option for casual wearers, and in this case, the Baggy Leather boots can be worn in one...

LL. Bean’s iconic Bean Boots will always hold a place in our hearts as the go to shoe for truly nasty ground conditions. However during a quick visit to the Ralph Lauren Mansion over this weekend, we discovered the newly released Nansen Boot which seems built for the same bad weather purpose, while adding a...

Originally established in 1949, Onitsuka Tiger has been experiencing a modern day resurrection and is riding a tsunami of momentum with fresh updates to their classic designs. Born from old school 1900-1920 Olympic Tug of War shoes, Onitsuka Tiger combines one part sneaker, one part chukka boot, and one part moccasin to produce one of...

Casual enough to wear out with friends, yet still capable of holding their own under a crisp pair of slacks, these Natchez Bubble-Toe Loafers are more than just your typical loafers. Made from dark brown aged nubuck with “burnished” detailing towards the toe, their unique wingtip inspired detailing attracted our attention mainly because we’ve never...

Boots are one of my preferred choices of footwear when the weather starts to turn cold. Whether its trekking across icy salt-laden streets or snow-strewn hills, having a solid pair is certainly a necessity when traversing across adverse terrain. If our selection of Chukka boots doesn’t appeal to your senses or even the Gum Shoes...

Chukka Boots were made popular in the 1940s & 50’s and, recently, they’ve made a resurgence back into the limelight of men’s fashion, and for good reason. Thanks to their ankle-length height, the style provides great support while still allowing for full maneuverability, which is particularly useful during winter months where soggy weather can make...

Fashion conscious, deal seeking, gear hounds. Not often a winning combination for your wallet. The people responsible for the insanely popular Gilt.com (circa 2007), have heard your plea and finally launched a site that rounds up all the on-sale goodness for men. Aptly, it’s called Gilt Man.

<p Women have heels, we have sneakers. Like our better halves, sometimes you just can’t have too many pairs, especially when it comes to high-tops. Here at Gear Patrol, we’ve always been fans of Converse, but sometimes you want some tops with a little more sustenance. We found just that in the JUMP Vanquish.

I’m in the market for some new dress shoes. I don’t mind spending more for them knowing that I will wear them 5 days a week or so. Can you point me to a brand for a well-made shoe that’s going to be able to be worn with all dress attire and look pretty stylish?...

The weather is turning quickly here in the Northeast. It’s starting to rain more; it’s colder. It’s only a matter of time before winter arrives. As this happens, the boat shoes and sandals we’ve been rocking all summer will no longer cut it. During last few rain storms here, we’ve been demoing L.L. Bean’s Gum...

1939, a tumultuous and eventful year. John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath was first published. Millions of Americans were unemployed despite the New Deal, followed by the first televised president, FDR himself. Also, the year West Coast Shoe Company’s conceived the Boss Boot’s – when boots weren’t considered fashion, but rather a daily lifegoing necessity. And...

If you happen to work in a profession where you spend most of the day on your feet, you’re probably quite familiar with the Dansko name. Dansko, literally translated as ‘Danish shoe,’ was founded in 1990 by wife and husband team Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup. The company got its start after the couple got...

There are certain things a man aspires to own in his life: a home, maybe a vacation pied-à-terre (if you’re lucky), a nice timepiece, a bespoke suit, or a dream car or truck. But one thing you must not overlook on this quest is owning a pair of great shoes, preferably of the formal type....

(Images courtesy of Nick DePaula) Capitalizing on the recent release of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, shoes fanatics and Transformers fans alike will appreciate this awesome, fully-licensed collaboration series. The line features Transformers-styled shoe models already in production by Nike such as the Zoom Sharkalaid, Zoom FP, and Zoom Flight Club. Chances are though...

By Gear Patrol reader Mitch Granger For most of us, dressing for work involves little thought. We wake up, put on the obligatory pieces of clothing that insure we’re appropriately dressed based on our position and office environment, and walk out the door to greet the day. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with this...

Custom shoes are a rare beast in this day and age. Even when you can find them, they’re liable to cost as much as a mortgage payment. Footwear from Russell Moccasin is the exception to the rule. They’ve been producing high-quality custom shoes in Wisconsin (which is apparently Mecca for domestic footwear production) since 1898....

I was cruising through the lil’ downtown area of the F-Dub this weekend on my Sector 9, when I decided to hit up the local skate shop to see if I could find some new shoes. Every time I darken the door of Plus, the selection of shoes pretty much overwhelms me (they have a...

A couple months back, I was at a local surf shop looking for a new pair of sunglasses when I came across a pair of Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers. Intrigued by their design and mantra, “It’s not a shoe, It’s a sandal,” I tried them on and thought… nice… then I promptly scooped up a pair....

By Guest Writer and Outdoor Enthusiast Roger Dawkins Feiyue sneakers are so satisfying. I just got them and from the minute I laced them up I felt the exact same feeling you get when you’re running late but you get a string of green lights; or when you finish the last corn chip in a...

Sometime after being developed by BF Goodrich in 1933 and after helping Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez escape the Beast in The Sandlot, PF Flyers reinvented themselves. Branching out from their functional roots, the company has aggressively sought to revamp the line to fall more in step with modern day street wear. Characterized by simple construction...

Penny Loafers are a classic that no man should be without. This versatile shoe goes great with numerous outfits, transitioning seamlessly between the office, the bar, or a weekend getaway. Match them to a suit and you’re ready for the boardroom. Casual Fridays? No problem, just wear them with a pair of khakis. A night...

While we all appreciate having the best athletic gear, few things bum a man out more than showing up on the playing field and seeing three other guys wearing the exact same product in the exact same color. The updated NIKEiD aims to change that.

“In like a lion, out like a lamb…” That famous adage* New York City Mayor Bloomberg quoted pretty much sums up my thoughts on March – a month marked by both nasty late Winter and early Spring weather. You men that care and take care of your shoes (which all men should do) or spend...

A good pair of boots should be in any man’s wardrobe, and with work wear making a comeback, many options abound. Unfortunately, most of the companies offering such items want to charge a premium for “authentic” representations of American style. J. Crew even has the audacity to charge 3 bills (or as Patrick says, hunnies) for...

Converse recently dropped a sweet new pair of their famous All-Stars this past holiday season. Spotted during some shopping at Bloomingdales in New York, this editor could barely slap down his girlfriend’s credit card fast enough. Read: present… I swear. These kicks are a part of Converse’s 1HUND(RED) initiative that brings together a hundred artists...

Performance Outdoor Footwear When it comes to shoes, I’m a minimalist. Trail runners, dress shoes, and sneakers – what more does a guy need? Well, often there comes a need for a shoe that maintains the style and class of a dress shoe, yet provides the comfort and functionality of a sneaker. Kuru bridges the...

With winter officially here (for us Floridians), I figured it was time to buy a pair of boots. Most magazines will have men buy shoes/clothing an entire season in advance, but I prefer the just-in-time approach. So, in lieu of sporting Timbos this year, I decided to go with another classic. The Clarks Desert Boot...

Reinventing The Wheel By Guest Writer and Gear Enthusiast Edward Cheng Living near Los Angeles (or any major city for that matter) has its many perks. One of which is close proximity of hundreds of stores offering a massive selection of shoes. I must admit it; I have a shoe addiction that no 12 step...

Gear Up With A KEEN Giveaway Reading Gear Patrol must be difficult. It must be difficult to sit there reading about all these great products wishing you could just click on that link to order it without having to enter in your payment information. Trust us, we feel the same way. It just happens to...

Stave off the winter wet weather with a pair of Shearling boots for the winter season. One of L.L.Bean’s basics, these boots have been made since 1912 and triple-stitched together one pair at a time in Maine. Whether you’re hunting, plowing the yard or just fighting a few blocks of soaked parking lots the L.L.Bean...

When it comes to buying a pair of sneakers, I’m on a mission. I probably own far more than I need, but rocking the same pair everyday isn’t my thing and as a Gear Patrol reader I’m sure it’s not yours either. As I’ve grown older and become a little more refined (ha), my tastes...